A $60 million salary cap could make it hard for the Penguins to hang on to Pascal Dupuis. / Keith Srakocic, AP

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK - Federal mediator Scot L. Beckenbaugh suddenly has become the most important player in hockey.

He will continue his shuttle mediation process Saturday at 10:30 a.m ET after spending more than 12 hours in that role Friday. He has been trying to bring the two sides together to end the 111-day out lockout and save the NHL season

Although there were no face-to-face meetings on Friday, Beckenbaugh spent lengthy periods with each side. The fact that he is returning for more on Saturday would suggest he might be having an impact. There has been so much hostility between the two parties during these negotiations that a neutral third-party facilitator might be the best hope of solution.

Pressure has increased dramatically in the negotiations because both sides know that the clock is winding down toward the cancellation of the 2012-13 season. To get in a 48-game season, Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated a deal needs to be reached by Jan. 11.

Thursday seemed like a wasted day in negotiations because the two sides didn't meet in face-to-face formal negotiations, and each party seemed to become more angry over the other side's tactics.

The NHLPA spent Thursday filing a motion aimed at having the NHL's previous lawsuit dismissed and started another vote on whether the union's executive board should have the authority to issue a "disclaimer of interest." That would mean the NHLPA would no longer be representing the players, and players would be free to file lawsuits under antitrust laws, as NFL players did in their last collective bargaining agreement fight.

NHL players voted overwhelmingly to give the executive board authority, but they chose to let the deadline pass on Wednesday without disclaiming interest.

Apparently, some players were disappointed in that decision, and the NHLPA has decided to put that option back in play.

Small groups did meet Thursday to discuss the pension issue, which remains one of the impediments to achieving a new deal. Players really want this pension. It's a complicated issue, but the league's concern over its liability seems to be at the heart of the dispute.

Another important issue is the second-year salary cap. The league wants a $60 million cap, and the players want a $65 million cap.

To appreciate how important that difference is, let's look at the Pittsburgh Penguins' payroll situation heading into the 2013-14 season. According to Capgeek.com, they have 15 players signed for a total of $56.3 million.

If the cap is $60 million, they would have $3.7 million remaining to sign more players. Even if they paid those eight players the league minimum, the Penguins couldn't get under the cap. And the unsigned players include Tyler Kennedy (restricted free agent), Pascal Dupuis (unrestricted) and Matt Cooke (unrestricted). Those are not players you pay the league minimum. A $60 million payroll would mean significant changes to the Penguins' team.

The Penguins would still have an issue at a $65 million salary cap, but the extra $5 million would make a significant difference.

Another major impediment to getting a deal done is the proposed cap on individual contract lengths. Heading into this week, the NHL wanted six years, with seven years allowed for teams re-signing their own players. Players wanted eight years.

There are other issues, but none as important as those three. Owners have wanted a 10-year CBA, with an opt-out at eight years. Players have agreed to a 10-year deal, but they want an opt-out at seven years. Owners have dropped their demand for a 5% variance limit on year-to-year salary amounts on multi-year contracts and have now asked for a 30% variance.